IP Library Granted Patent US 10,553,739
Granted Patent B1
US 10,553,739 · App. 14/295,132 · Granted Feb 4, 2020

Photovoltaic in line fuse connector assembly having an integral fuse

Inventor: Dean Solon (Gallatin, TN)
Assignee: SHOALS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC
H01L31/0504H01B7/0045H01H85/042H01H85/044H01L31/18
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,553,739
App. No.
14/295,132
Granted
Feb 4, 2020
Kind
B1
Abstract

A photovoltaic in line connector assembly has an integral fuse, and is double molded to provide electrical insulation, protection and strain relief. The assembly can be integrated with, or added to, a wiring harness for a photovoltaic installation, thereby providing one fuse per solar panel. The assembly may include zero, one, or two connectors that are male, female, or one of each.

Claims (34)

1. An in line assembly for a solar installation including:

a. A photovoltaic fuse having a solid outer surface including a first end, a second end and a middle section there between, said solid outer surface defining an outline;

b. An undermold surrounding and sealing said fuse, said undermold defining an outer surface outline, wherein the outer surface outline of said undermold is substantially parallel relative to the outline of said solid outer surface;

c. An overmold defining an outline and surrounding said undermold, said undermold and said overmold each constructed of a single unit and each constructed of dissimilar materials, wherein the outline of said overmold is substantially parallel relative to the outline of said undermold; and

d. A first photovoltaic connector engaged with said first end, wherein said assembly provides electrical insulation.

2. The assembly of claim 1 further including a second photovoltaic connector engaged with said second end.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said first photovoltaic connector is a female type connector, and said second photovoltaic connector is a male type connector.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second connectors are locking type connectors.

5. The assembly of claim 4 further comprising a tool for unlocking said connectors.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said undermold is a modified polyphenylene ether plastic.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said overmold is a thermoplastic elastomer.

8. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said fuse is rated at 2-30 amps.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said fuse is rated at 600-2000V.

10. A photovoltaic wire harness including:

a. A trunk wire having a plurality of branch wires extending there from in pairs, said branch wires and said trunk wire forming angles having vertices of approximately degrees; and

b. A plurality of fuse assemblies engaged only with said branch wires in a ratio of one fuse assembly per branch wire, said fuse assemblies each including:

i. A photovoltaic fuse having a solid outer surface including a first end, a second end and a middle section there between, said solid outer surface defining an outline;

ii. An undermold surrounding and sealing said fuse, said undermold defining an outer surface outline, wherein the outer surface outline of said undermold is substantially parallel relative to the outline of said solid outer surface;

iii. An overmold defining an outline and surrounding said undermold, said undermold and said overmold each constructed of a single unit and each constructed of dissimilar materials, wherein the outline of said overmold is substantially parallel relative to the outline of said undermold; and

iv. A first photovoltaic connector engaged with said first end, wherein said assembly provides electrical insulation.

11. The photovoltaic wire harness of claim 10 wherein said fuse assemblies each further include a second photovoltaic connector.

12. The photovoltaic wire assembly of claim 10 wherein said fuse assemblies each include a pair selected from the group consisting of one male type said first photovoltaic connector and one female type connector; one female type said first photovoltaic connector and one male type connector; one male type said first photovoltaic connector and one wire; and one female type said first photovoltaic connector and one wire.

13. The photovoltaic wire assembly of claim 10 wherein said angles are surrounded by an encasement.

14. The photovoltaic wire assembly of claim 13 wherein said encasement defines tie-downs that span between adjacent protrusions.

15. A method of configuring a solar installation including the steps of:

a. Engaging the trunk of a wire harness with a combiner box wherein said combiner box lacks fuses and circuit breakers; and

b. Engaging each terminal branch of said wire harness with one solar panel wherein each terminal branch includes exactly one in line fuse assembly each of said in line fuse assemblies including:

i. A photovoltaic fuse having a solid outer surface including a first end, a second end and a middle section there between, said solid outer surface defining an outline;

ii. An undermold surrounding and sealing said fuse, said undermold defining an outer surface outline, wherein the outer surface outline of said undermold is substantially parallel relative to the outline of said solid outer surface;

iii. An overmold defining an outline and surrounding said undermold, said undermold and said overmold each constructed of a single unit and each constructed of dissimilar materials, wherein the outline of said overmold is substantially parallel relative to the outline of said undermold; and

iv. A first photovoltaic connector engaged with said first end, wherein said assembly provides electrical insulation.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said step of engaging each terminal branch with one solar panel includes the step of connecting to said first photovoltaic connector.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said step of connecting to said first photovoltaic connector includes the step of connecting to a male said first photovoltaic connector.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein said step of connecting to said first photovoltaic connector includes the step of connecting to a female said first photovoltaic connector.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 14, 2020
From: SHOALS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 054641/0368 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 25, 2020
From: FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: SHOALS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC
Reel/Frame 054472/0725 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 26, 2017
From: SHOALS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC
To: MB FINANCIAL BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 042518/0055 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 11, 2014
From: SOLON, DEAN
To: SHOALS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC
Reel/Frame 033074/0221 →
Continuity (1)
Provisional Application 61830284 · Jun 3, 2013
Cited By (4)
US 12,407,295 US 12,494,305 US 12,519,421 US 12,712,488